Bulli Pass intersection option close
Bulli Pass intersection option close
October 26, 2006
Section: News
THE State Government's preferred option for the Lawrence Hargrave Drive and Bulli Pass intersection is close to completion and will be on public display in the coming months according to Minister for Illawarra
David Campbell.
The dangerous intersection was put back in the spotlight last week when Shadow Minister for the Illawarra Peta Seaton called on the State Government to commit to budget and plan the upgrade of the intersection.
"Labor has only done half the job - and it's irresponsible to leave the intersection in such a dangerous state," Ms Seaton said.
Locals have constantly expressed concerns about the increased traffic on the Sea Cliff Bridge and the additional pressure brought to bear on the intersection according to Ms Seaton.
"As we move into summer, locals are bracing themselves yet again for the inevitable increase in traffic congestion and the predictable accidents resulting in damaged cars, damaged people or god forbid someone's death," she said.
"I brought this to the attention of the NSW Labor Government in December 2005 and nearly a year has past and still nothing has been done.
"Locals tell me the weekends are particularly bad with traffic backing up in long lines of cars, trucks and buses with the most minor incident resulting in traffic
mayhem."
Mr Campbell has hit back at Ms Seaton's critisism saying as Shadow Treasurer Peta Seaton should be aware of the $2 million allocated for the intersection in the State Budget. He said the State Government has delivered considerable infrastructure for the northern suburbs of Wollongong including the $49 million Sea Cliff Bridge and $80 million for the Northern Distributor extension.
"If the Shadow Treasurer even looked at the Budget papers she would see that, combined, this is $131 million being spent in the northern suburbs, between Coalcliff and Bellambi.
"The Opposition is missing in action when it comes to the Illawarra and generally aren't spotted in the northern suburbs unless there is an election on the horizon."